Ty Burrell

A versatile talent with a knack for playing egotistical heels, Emmy-winning Ty Burrell was a supporting actor and occasional lead who established himself in the industry with strong performances in th...
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As the old saying goes: If you love something, let it go. If it really loves you back, it'll return when you're well into adulthood, taking the form of a DreamWorks Animation feature film. So, remember everything you loved when you were a kid? Cartoons about friendly ghosts, claymation factotums, Eternia defenders, and junkyard-centric schoolchildren? Super-literal detectives, masked avengers, educational livestock puppets, and heroic collies? No matter where your adorations lie, they're included in the latest purchase of Classic Media by DreamWorks; the sale will transfer the rights of over 450 family entertainment titles to the motion picture studio.
Among them: Casper, Gumby, He-Man and She-Ra, Fat Albert, Dick Tracy, The Lone Ranger, Lamb Chop, Lassie, Where's Waldo?, Pat the Bunny, Richie Rich, Wendy the Good Little Witch, Hot Stuff, Rocky and Bullwinkle, Dudley Do-Right, George of the Jungle, Rankin Bass' Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, Mr. Magoo, Felix the Cat, Underdog, and Mr. Peabody and Sherman, which is presently in development as a film, with Ty Burrell as the voice of the titular time-traveling terrier.
And that is only twenty-odd titles in a list of 450! Basically, everything in which you spent your younger days investing your existential philosophies should soon be a DreamWorks movie. So what are you most looking forward to?
[Photo Credit: Classic Media]
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The nominations for the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards were announced this morning, and while there weren't many major head scratchers on the list, there were still some things that could leave you scratching your head. Why wasn't Parks and Recreation star Nick Offerman there this morning to announce the nominees? (Better yet, why wasn't he one of the nominees announced?) Why was American Horror Story in the Miniseries category? Why was Hemingway &amp; Gellhorn nominated... for anything? Why is Emmy host Jimmy Kimmel in his pajamas?
Well, we've got the answers to all your burning Emmy questions right here! (Except for "Can you give Jon Hamm my number?" No, no we cannot.) Check them out below and if you've got any other 2012 Emmy questions, leave them in the comments section!
1. Why wasn't Parks and Recreation star Nick Offerman there this morning to announce the nominees?
There's a reason why Mother Nature isn't on Ron Swanson's Pyramid of Greatness: it keeps Nick Offerman from getting to Los Angeles to announce the Emmy nominations. The actor, who was slated to do the honor, got stuck on the East Coast after the area got slammed by a massive storm and "regretfully" had to miss out on his duties. (For the record, the storm was not a meat tornado.) This year's host Jimmy Kimmel — who showed up in his pajamas. Why? Because it's too damn early — stepped up to fill in alongside actress Kerry Washington (pictured) All for the best, really, as Kimmel got to hear his show get a nod for Best Variety Program, while Offerman inexplicably did not get a nomination, yet again, in his category.
2. Why did American Horror Story get placed in the Miniseries category?
While Ryan Murphy's twisted FX series was eligible to compete in both the Drama Series and Miniseries categories, they wisely chose the latter to avoid competing in the already tight Drama Series race. (Seriously, nothing was getting past Boardwalk Empire, Breaking Bad, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, Homeland, and Mad Men.) The same strategy paid off for star Connie Britton, who earned a nomination in the Best Leading Actress in a Miniseries or Movie category. So why was AHS allowed to compete as a Miniseries? The 12-episode first season was actually an anthology (Season 2 will be an entirely new storyline and cast), technically making it a miniseries.
3. How many nominees were also nominated last year?
Comedy was king when it came to repeat nominees. 54% of this year's nominees in the comedy categories were also nominated last year. Of course, Modern Family is largely to thank for that bragging right, as the show itself, as well as all of its adult actors (Ed O'Neill, Sofia Vergara, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, and last year's winners Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen) are all nominated again this year. Melissa McCarthy will vie for another win in Best Leading Actress in a Comedy Series, as will returning nominees Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie), Tina Fey (30 Rock), and Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation). The drama categories saw 40% of last year's nominees return, including four-time Best Drama Series champ Mad Men. (The show will try and win its fifth consecutive Emmy, while up against fellow returning nominees Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones.) The Good Wife star Julianna Margulies will try and follow up her 2011 win in the Best Actress race, as returning nominees Kathy Bates (Harry's Law) and Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men) aim for their first.
4. What the heck is House of Lies?
Glad you asked! Much like last year when Matt LeBlanc earned Best Leading Actor in a Comedy Series nomination for a show on Showtime that not many people watch (in his case, Episodes), Don Cheadle's star power and general awesomeness earned him a slot for his performance on the series about a group of cutthroat management consultants.
5. Why was Downton Abbey a miniseries last year and a series this year?
Well, it was quite the scandal, darling! Hup hup cheerio! British things! The PBS series ran, and won, in the Miniseries category last year, even though it was widely considered to be a drama series. Having grown immensely in popularity this year, Downton Abbey decided to play in the big leagues this year and try to stop Mad Men from earning the first-ever Best Drama Series five-peat.
6. Why was Hemingway &amp; Gellhorn nominated? Wasn't it widely panned by critics?
Never underestimate the power of star power. While the Emmys aren't typically as swayed by nominating big stars in mediocre projects as the Golden Globes often do, it seems they were drawn in by the magnetism of Nicole Kidman and Clive Owen. Even with critics unimpressed by the movie (including Hollywood.com's own Matt Patches, who called it "a major missed opportunity") it had a lot of factors in its favor: it aired on HBO, it starred an Oscar winner and an Oscar nominee, and its a biopic. All the ingredients for a nomination. Still, even with the surprise nomination, the only surprise would be if it actually won. The film is going up against critical and ratings darlings such as Game Change, Hatfields &amp; McCoys, and Sherlock.
7. Besides perennial nominee The Amazing Race, how many years in a row have the other reality competition nominees been nominated?
Since the inception of the Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program back in 2003, The Amazing Race has been nominated and won every year, with the exception of Top Chef taking the title in 2010. In fact, the only other show in this category to be nominated every year since 2003 is American Idol. Nay, was. The series was bumped from the race for the first time by newcomer and rival The Voice. Elsewhere, Survivor had a run of return nominations, from 2003 to 2006, while Dancing with the Stars picked up from there and has been continually nominated since 2006.
8. How many other Saturday Night Live stars have been nominated in the acting category in the past?
First things first, let's point out that Bill Hader has made Emmy history today. The SNL MVP has earned the first-ever Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in the show's illustrious 37-year history. Yay Stefon! This being her final season, Kristen Wiig has nabbed a spot in the Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series once again. Aside from Amy Poehler, no other SNL actresses have garnered acting nominations for SNL.
9. Egads, Modern Family! Has any other comedy in history had every single one of its cast members nominated?
Nope! But Cheers got awfully close back in 1990 when Kirstie Alley, Ted Danson, Rhea Pearlman, Bebe Neuwirth, Kelsey Grammer, and Woody Harrelson were all nominated across Supporting and Lead acting categories. (If John Ratzenberger and George Wendt had also earned nods, they would have earned that bragging right.)
10. What happens if Desperate Housewives star Kathryn Joosten wins?
A month and a half after losing her battle to lung cancer, beloved actress Kathryn Joosten earned a posthumous nod in the Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on Desperate Housewives. (It is the only major Emmy nod for the dramedy's final season.) Joosten was nominated three times, and won twice, for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance as Mrs. McClusky. If Joosten were to win the Emmy, she would be the second posthumous Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series winner, alongside Bewitched star Marion Lorne in 1968.
[Photo Credit: Getty Images]
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2012 Emmy Awards: See the Full List of Nominees!
2012 Emmy Awards: Snubs and Surprises!

Emmys season is always an exciting time for any entertainment enthusiast (or as our parents used to call it, "TV junkie") because it's a chance for all dedicated fans to sit back and root for the shows and characters we've fallen deeply in love with throughout the years. And if it's that exciting for us, we can only imagine what the actual nominees must be going through.
So now that the 2012 Emmy Nominations have finally been announced, the writers over at Hollywood.com have reached out to these oh-so talented stars to see how they're dealing with the exciting news.
Here's what some of the nominees had to say:
"As the show enters its last season, I'm gratified to be nominated again by the Academy." — Alec Baldwin (Best Leading Actor in a Comedy Series, 30 Rock)
"I am so honored to be nominated for The Good Wife. The Academy has been very supportive of me over the years and my appreciation is boundless." — Julianna Margulies (Best Leading Actress in a Drama Series, The Good Wife)
"There are so many amazing performances this year by actors I really admire, that it means a lot to me to being included among them.” — Steve Buscemi (Best Leading Actor in a Drama Series, Boardwalk Empire)
"I'm so honored to be nominated in this category of truly awe inspiring actresses . And thrilled Mad Men is recognized for the fifth time." — Christina Hendricks (Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Mad Men)
"I am honored to be nominated for an Emmy Award for my work as Gustavo Fring in Breaking Bad. It is such a privilege to be part of this new golden age of television. I am especially thankful to the viewers who have tuned in and supported the provocative and profound nature of good story telling." — Giancarlo Esposito (Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Breaking Bad)
“I’m over the moon to receive my first Emmy nomination. I feel so lucky to be a part of Homeland and am extremely grateful to the writing team for continuing to write such extraordinary roles for all of us. I couldn’t feel more proud to be keeping company with such a fantastic range of talented actors.” — Damian Lewis (Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series, Homeland)
"I was actually awake this morning when they announced the Emmy nominations thanks to my newfound need to pee several times a night. Finally, my enlarged prostate pays off!!" — Jon Cryer (Best Actor in a Comedy Series, Two and a Half Men)
“It's an incredible thrill to be nominated our first year out. When we wrote the pilot, we never imagined that the Television Academy would include us in the company of such extraordinary nominees. We're grateful for the acknowledgment and for having such great partners in Showtime and Fox 21." — Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon (creators and producers of Homeland)
"It's a great honor, though there should be parentheses next to my name with all of the SNL writers. And now I have to kiss up to the cast members of Modern Family in hopes that they pull a Ving Rhames and give me their award when they win." — Bill Hader (Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, Saturday Night Live)
“I am so thrilled to be nominated and even more happy for all the nominations for breaking bad and my fellow cast members. I am so thankful to the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. This is a dream job, so to receive a nomination for my work on Breaking Bad is truly a gift." — Aaron Paul (Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Breaking Bad)
"I heard the news in my favorite way, because it’s now the way that I’ve always heard the news that I’ve been nominated, which is [from] my cousin, who lives in New York, who is like my sister. She called me. She’s the first one, she beats everyone else to the punch, and she’s like, ‘You’ve been nominated for an Emmy!’” Really, the first thing I thought was, I can’t believe it — which actually, I have to say, has been the first thought every time I’ve been nominated for an Emmy! It is full and complete disbelief and surprise." — Connie Britton (Best Leading Actress in a Miniseries or Movie, American Horror Story) "I am truly honored that the Academy has nominated me for an Emmy. The fact that Ed, Sofia, Jesse, Eric and my other wife, Julie, are also nominated makes this all the sweeter. I wish Bill and Max weren't such great guys, now I have to root for everyone and that's exhausting." — Ty Burrell (Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, Modern Family) "I am honored to be recognized by the Academy among such a talented group of women. I am thrilled that Damian, "Homeland," our amazing writers and director and so many others got nominated. It is a great day to be on set where we can all celebrate together." — Claire Danes (Best Leading Actress in a Drama Series, Homeland) “So happy to get nominated! Can't wait to get back to the Late Night office and celebrate! But first I gotta leave this theatre and change out of this Batman costume." — Jimmy Fallon (Best Variety Program, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, Saturday Night Live) "I am really thrilled to be nominated for Hemingway and Gellhorn. I had such a great time working with the brilliant Phil Kaufman and the wonderful Nicole Kidman." — Clive Owen (Best Leading Actor in a Miniseries or Movie, Hemingway &amp; Gellhorn) "I'm thrilled to be nominated and if I win I promise to lower taxes. And I'm not just saying that. That's not an empty promise or an attempt to bribe the voters." — Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Best Actress in a Comedy Series, Veep) "I can't begin to express how exciting it is to be recognized alongside these extraordinary actresses. I love that I had the chance to play a character like Nicolle Wallace. She has this mix of political savvy and integrity that I found so interesting. I’m so thrilled "Game Change" was received so enthusiastically by the Academy." — Sarah Paulson (Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie, Game Change)
"I was just pulling up into work and I got a text from my sister, shortly followed by one from my publicist, and then I walked in and I saw they were showing Jimmy Kimmel in his pajamas on the news. It was awesome, and it was crazy! It’s so important to me, being a producer and having the show get nominated. It's just incredible. I’m so happy for everybody." — Carson Daly (host of The Voice) "I am absolutely in shock. I was 100% certain I was not getting nominated! It is to the credit of Chuck Lorre, Bill Prady, Steve Molaro and our amazing writers who gave Amy Farrah Fowler the words to make her so much a part of people's minds and hearts. I share this tremendously thrilling honor with them, our incredible cast and especially with Jim Parsons who I constantly borrow line-readings from." — Mayim Bialik (Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, The Big Bang Theroy)
"I am so incredibly honored to be nominated in this category with these amazing women. I admire each one of them and their performances so much; I just feel really flattered to be in their company. And of course I am so proud of the show and my family on Mad Men for each of their nominations. Each one of them is so deserved. I am so proud to be a part of this show and always will be." — Elisabeth Moss (Best Leading Actress in a Drama Series, Mad Men) "I'm thrilled to be included amongst one of Modern Family's 14 Emmy Nominations! I am celebrating with 10 georgous, tall, leggy showgirls. Not because that's how I roll but because I'm in rehearsal for The Producers at The Hollywood Bowl. Also, because I like to make Eric Stonestreet jealous." — Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, Modern Family) "I'm thrilled that the film is being recognized, and particularly, that so many people in the film have been recognized. You become close. I'm very fond of the people in this particular production. To see so many of them nominated, it's really cool....I think there are a lot of great actresses nominated in that category. It's actually a great year for movies and mini-series. But I would have to think that Julianne Moore, for my money, it wasn't the best performance of the year in movies and mini-series, I think it was one of the best performances of the year in anything. Movies, TV, theater — anything. One of those mind-boggling performances that everyone is floored by." — Danny Strong (writer and producer of Game Change, Best Miniseries or Movie) “I'm so excited to have been nominated for an Emmy, especially for 30 Rock, which is an incredible show and also for playing a deranged and deceased world dictator who has divided the small country of my origin in two. That's the best part. I think that's what I'd call iron curtain irony." — Margaret Cho (Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, 30 Rock)
"I'm beyond thrilled to be nominated -- it has even more depth of meaning now that the show is over and I won't get to speak Mark Cherry's brilliant lines again. I was overjoyed to see Kathy Joosten's posthumous Emmy nod as well. As Mary Alice would say, "Yes!" — Brenda Strong (Outstanding Voice-Over Performance, Desperate Housewives) [Photo Credit: ABC] More: 2012 Emmy Awards: See the Full List of Nominees! 2012 Emmy Awards Nominees: Our Predictions! 2012 Emmy Longshots: Our Picks!

Tomorrow morning the television world will find itself rocked when Kerry Washington and Nick Offerman announce the nominations for the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards (which has a snazzy new poster, left). Will Parks &amp; Recreation finally get its due? Will Homeland or Downton Abbey upset the drama categories' status quo? Will Girls, New Girl and Veep make a splash and join the ranks of recurring comedy favorites?
It's a year that could be loaded with some pleasant (and some not-so-pleasant) surprises, and we'll all find out tomorrow morning. For now, our team of TV experts at Hollywood.com has compiled our predictions for who will get honored, who will get bumped and who will throw Emmy voters for a wild loop. Check out our predictions below, and check back in for our Emmys coverage in the weeks leading up to the ceremony (which Jimmy Kimmel will host at L.A.'s Nokia Theatre on September 23rd):
Best Drama Series
SHOO-INS:
Mad Men
Breaking Bad
Homeland
Game of Thrones
Boardwalk Empire
TOSS-UP:
Downton Abbey
The Good Wife
WILDCARD:
Justified
Dexter
WE WISH:
Sons of Anarchy
Homeland’s in. Dexter’s out. With Downton Abbey submitting as a drama instead of a miniseries, there’s a shake-up to be had, and the show perhaps most in jeopardy is The Good Wife (which had its "moment" last year).
Best Comedy Series
SHOO-INS:
Modern Family
Parks &amp; Recreation
The Big Bang Theory
Curb Your Enthusiasm
TOSS-UP:
New Girl
Louie
30 Rock
WILDCARD:
Girls
Community
WE WISH:
Happy Endings
It’s a surprisingly wishy-washy year for a usually solid category. Don’t count on The Office like Emmy has in years past; instead, place your bets on newcomers New Girl or Girls (there’s a trend here somewhere) to nab a spot. Although Curb Your Enthusiasm will enthusiastically return to the category, the equally-deserving Louie may have to fight for a major nomination (Louis C.K. himself will get a nod, perhaps in redemption). And never count out dark horse Community, which is having a much buzzed-about year.
Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
SHOO-INS:
Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory)
Alec Baldwin (30 Rock)
Louis C.K. (Louie)
Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men)
TOSS-UP:
Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory)
Don Cheadle (House of Lies)
Ashton Kutcher (Two and a Half Men)
WILDCARD:
Joel McHale (Community)
Will Arnett (Up All Night)
WE WISH:
Adam Scott (Parks &amp; Recreation)
Parsons and Baldwin are category staples, and C.K. is having the best year of his career, so the first half of the ballot is already set. The Academy has shown no lack of love for Jon Cryer, who is submitting for lead this year (and will probably be happily surprised); new co-star Ashton Kutcher also submitted for lead, but he likely won’t find himself at the top of the bill (it’ll either be big name Don Cheadle or Big Bang’s once-nominated Johnny Galecki). You can bet that either Joel McHale (probably) or Will Arnett (probably not) will take a sixth spot for their comedic romps in two of this year’s buzziest comedies.
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
SHOO-INS:
Amy Poehler (Parks &amp; Recreation)
Tina Fey (30 Rock)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep)
TOSS-UP:
Zooey Deschanel (New Girl)
Lena Dunham (Girls)
Melissa McCarthy (Mike &amp; Molly)
Laura Dern (Enlightened)
WILDCARD:
Christina Applegate (Up All Night)
Laura Linney (The Big C)
WE WISH:
Jane Levy (Suburgatory)
Laura Linney, Martha Plimpton and Edie Falco will make room — and rightfully so — for funnier performances by Deschanel, Dunham and Louis-Dreyfus. It’s also important to remember that Melissa McCarthy’s nod-and-win last year was largely reactionary, thanks to Bridesmaids; her spot this year for Mike &amp; Molly is not guaranteed. Laura Dern could fill a sixth slot, if Linney doesn’t steal it back.
Lead Actor in a Drama Series
SHOO-INS:
Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire)
Jon Hamm (Mad Men)
Hugh Laurie (House)
Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)
Damian Lewis (Homeland)
TOSS-UP:
Kelsey Grammer (Boss)
Michael C. Hall (Dexter)
Dustin Hoffman (Luck)
Timothy Olyphant (Justified)
WILDCARD:
Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey)
Jason Isaacs (Awake)
WE WISH:
William H. Macy (Shameless)
Obviously with five “shoo-ins,” the entire category looks to be mostly locked, as it is every year. Buscemi, Hamm and Cranston won’t budge, and Laurie will stay on the ballot for the last season of House. Expect Michael C. Hall to be given the boot from his usual slot to make room for Homeland’s brilliant enigma Damian Lewis. The sixth spot could go to Kelsey Grammer, an obvious choice for the middling Boss, but Grammer likely won’t get the same love from Emmy that he got from the HFPA at the Globes earlier this year. If Downton Abbey dominates the year overall, patriarch Hugh Bonneville could fill the vacancy; otherwise, it’s a toss-up between Dustin Hoffman, Timothy Olyphant and Hall again.
Lead Actress in a Drama Series
SHOO-INS:
Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife)
Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men)
Claire Danes (Homeland)
Mariska Hargitay (Law &amp; Order: SVU)
TOSS-UP:
Katey Sagal (Sons of Anarchy)
Glenn Close (Damages)
WILDCARD:
Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey)
Debra Messing (Smash)
WE WISH:
Madeleine Stowe (Revenge)
The race for leading actress is relatively inflexible — Margulies and Danes will duke it out for the actual trophy, while mainstay Hargitay will more than likely keep her prime spot on the shortlist (whether or not she deserves to is another matter). Elisabeth Moss will definitely make the cut after another consistent season-long performance on Mad Men. Glenn Close will probably have the edge on the criminally under-awarded Katey Sagal, while wildcard (and Emmy crush) Debra Messing could pop up to demonstrate the Academy’s courteous appreciation for Smash.
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
SHOO-INS:
Ty Burrell (Modern Family)
Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family)
Max Greenfield (New Girl)
Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother)
TOSS-UP:
Nick Offerman (Parks &amp; Recreation)
Ed O’Neill (Modern Family)
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family)
WILDCARD:
Jeremy Piven (Entourage)
WE WISH:
Jack McBrayer (30 Rock)
When it comes to the Modern Family guys, Burrell and Stonestreet are guaranteed locks, but O’Neill and Ferguson — who have been jilted in the past — are only high-possibility potentials (O'Neill had a stronger season presence, and Ferguson had an impressive finale). NPH must be relieved that Jon Cryer has bumped himself up to the leading race, but he faces competition from newcomer Max Greenfield, the fan favorite of Fox’s New Girl. The wrench in the plan is either Nick Offerman, who may finally earn his much-deserved nomination for Parks &amp; Recreation, or Jeremy Piven, who could return to glory for the final season of Entourage (but probably won’t).
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
SHOO-IN:
Julie Bowen (Modern Family)
Sofia Vergara (Modern Family)
Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live)
Betty White (Hot in Cleveland)
Jane Krakowski (30 Rock)
TOSS-UP:
Kristin Chenoweth (GCB)
WILDCARD:
Cheryl Hines (Suburgatory)
Anna Chlumsky (Veep)
WE WISH:
Maya Rudolph (Up All Night)
No surprises lie with Bowen, Vergara or Wiig — and, frankly, with White, although her inclusion is more of a necessity than a commentary on the Emmy worthiness of Hot in Cleveland. Hines is a fan favorite and Chlumsky shines on Veep, but it’s Kristin Chenoweth who will mark this season’s new addition to the ballot for her star turn on GCB (smart move, submitting as supporting, even though ads for the cancelled soap played her up as its lead).
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
SHOO-INS:
Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones)
Josh Charles (The Good Wife)
Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)
Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad)
TOSS-UP:
John Slattery (Mad Men)
Mandy Patinkin (Homeland)
Michael Pitt (Boardwalk Empire)
Walton Goggins (Justified)
WILDCARD:
Robert Sean Leonard (House)
Jared Harris (Mad Men)
WE WISH:
Vincent Kartheiser (Mad Men)
Could Robert Sean Leonard’s return to House’s final season or Jared Harris’s emotional finale on Mad Men mean nominations that bump out John Slattery or Michael Pitt? Potentially, although more so for Leonard than Harris. But I’d count on Mandy Patinkin popping up in this category alongside favorites Dinklage, Paul and Charles. (Oh, and Esposito is compulsory here.)
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
SHOO-IN:
Christine Baranski (The Good Wife)
Christina Hendricks (Mad Men)
Maggie Smith (Downton Abbey)
Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife)
Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire)
TOSS-UP:
Megan Hilty (Smash)
January Jones (Mad Men)
WILDCARD:
Kiernan Shipka (Mad Men)
Anjelica Huston (Smash)
WE WISH:
Lana Parrilla (Once Upon a Time)
It’s a damn free-for-all in this category, but there’s surprisingly little wiggle room. Megan Hilty could eke out a nomination for standing out (for all the right reasons) on Smash, but it’s no promise, especially considering that the Smash presence at the Emmys may be limited. If not Hilty, then Mad Men’s January Jones may get another chance to win for her impressive Fat Betty.
How'd we do? Think we got it right, or totally wrong? Let us know in the comments!
[Photo Credit: Academy of Television Arts &amp; Sciences]
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2012 Emmy Longshots: Our Picks!
Shocking Murder-Suicide at Daytime Emmy Awards Hotel
2012 Emmy Longshots: 'Revenge' Diva in Residence Madeleine Stowe

Homeland, Sherlock and Community were among the big winners at the Critics' Choice Television Awards on Monday night (18Jun12).
Political thriller Homeland won best drama, while its star Claire Danes was crowned best actress at the second annual prizegiving held at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
Sitcom Community picked up the best comedy series trophy and Sherlock was named best miniseries/movie. The sleuthing show's lead star Benedict Cumberbatch received the the best actor honour.
Modern Family received a pair of awards in the comedy section - best supporting actor for Ty Burrell and best supporting actress for Julie Bowen - as did Breaking Bad in the drama categories, with Bryan Cranston hailed as best lead actor and his co-star Giancarlo Esposito taking home best supporting actor.
Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation) tied with Zooey Deschanel (New Girl) for best actress in a comedy series, and funnyman Louis C.K. was voted best actor in a comedy series for Louie.
Other winners include Mad Men's Christina Hendricks for best supporting actress in a drama series and Julianne Moore (best supporting actress in a miniseries/movie) for her portrayal of controversial politician Sarah Palin in HBO's Game Change.

Whatever you'd call the equivalent of a "rags to riches" story in terms of a television program's critical appreciation, that's what 2012 has been for NBC's Community. On Monday night, the sitcom, which only a few months prior had been in the midst of a threatening hiatus due to low ratings, earned the title of Best Comedy at the second annual Critics Choice Awards for television.
But as if to drive home the fact that this world just refuses to give Community fanatics any true joy, the series' creator Dan Harmon, whom NBC fired as Community showrunner for the upcoming fourth season, was not present to accept the award. As Harmon Tweeted shortly after the ceremony, "Congrats, Community, and thank you, critics. Sorry I was unable to have been invited!" The brilliant mind behind NBC's greatest artistic testament to human relationships since Cheers was ousted from his showrunner position shortly after the network announced that Community would receive a Season 4; this event publicized Harmon's contentious relationship with the studio, akin perhaps to his relationship with series star Chevy Chase. The Critics Choice Award for Best Comedy was accepted Community cast members Joel McHale (leading man Jeff Winger), Gillian Jacobs (bad-at-everything Britta Perry), and Danny Pudi (best-character-in-the-history-of-television Abed Nadir), as well as executive producer Russ Krasnoff. Back when Community was first nominated for the honor, speculation about the program's Emmy chances arose. Now, they're even more feasible — the 2012 Emmy ballot is just aching for Greendale Community College. Below is a complete list of this year's Critics Choice Award winners: Best Drama Series Homeland (Showtime) Best Actor in a Drama Series Bryan Cranston - Breaking Bad (AMC) Best Actress in a Drama Series Claire Danes - Homeland (Showtime) Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Giancarlo Esposito - Breaking Bad (AMC) Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Christina Hendricks - Mad Men (AMC) Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series Lucy Liu - Southland (TNT) Best Reality Series Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (Travel Channel) Best Reality Series - Competition The Voice (NBC) Best Reality Show Host (Tie) Tom Bergeron - Dancing with the Stars (ABC), Cat Deeley - So You Think You Can Dance (FOX) Best Talk Show Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC) Best Comedy Series Community (NBC) Best Actor in a Comedy Series Louis C.K.- Louie (FX) Best Actress in a Comedy Series (Tie) Zooey Deschanel - New Girl (FOX) and Amy Poehler - Parks and Recreation (NBC) Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Ty Burrell - Modern Family (ABC) Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Julie Bowen - Modern Family (ABC) Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series Paul Rudd - Parks and Recreation (NBC) Best Animated Series Archer (FX) Best Movie/Miniseries Sherlock (PBS) Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries Benedict Cumberbatch - Sherlock (PBS) Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries Julianne Moore - Game Change (HBO) [Image Credit: NBC] More: 'Community' Season Finale: #SixSeasonsAndAMovie 'Community': Why It's Okay that Dan Harmon's Show Is Over John Oliver: The Internet is 'Killing' 'Community' Community

If you thought The Avengers was great (and odds are, you did), imagine how much greater it would have been with a laugh track. All the big screen superhero adventure you could want, with the feel of a good ol' network sitcom. Apparently, the minds behind Marvel are opting for this, however in a much subtler fashion than canning well-timed guffaws and provocative "ooh"s throughout their films: casting.
As you may have heard, Chuck star Zachary Levi is being considered to join the cast of Thor 2, potentially replacing Josh Dallas as Fandral the Dashing (one third of Asgard's Warriors Three). Levi is not the first small screen star to join in on the Marvel Universe — Captain America and The Avengers placed the character S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Maria Hill in the hands of Cobie Smulders, better known as How I Met Your Mother's Robin Scherbatsky. Additionally, S.H.I.E.L.D. fan favorite Phil Coulson (Thor, The Avengers) is a starring player on the CBS comedy The New Adventures of Old Christine.
And then there are the one timers: Modern Family star Ty Burrell in The Incredible Hulk, 2 Broke Girls' Kat Dennings in Thor, and sitcom icon Garry Shandling in Iron Man 2. But who else can Disney pull from your weeknight lineup to join the Marvel Universe?
Danny Pudi (Community's Abed Nadir) as Ultron
Louis CK (of Louie) as Baron Zemo
Jemima Kirke (Girls' Jessa) as Enchantress
And the tour de force...
Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation's Ron Swanson) as Ivan Petrovich
Marvel Movies
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'Venom' Movie May Tie into 'Amazing Spider-Man' Avengers-Style — EXCLUSIVE
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[Photo Credits: Marvel, NBC, FX, HBO]

Conventional wisdom states that sitcoms don’t really have shocking twists: They can occasionally surprise us, sure, but the joy mostly comes from seeing the truth in the jokes, delivered week after week. Well, Modern Family certainly turned that totem on its head last night: All season, we’ve been hearing about Mitchell and Cameron’s quest to adopt a baby boy. Last night, it looked like they, and viewers, were finally going to get their wish. Right away, Mitchell got a call that a woman had selected them, and she was in labor right now. They rushed off to a border town in California, with trusty Gloria around as a translator. In the car ride over, Cameron and Gloria talked about the Spanish-language soap opera they’re in love with. (Remember, Jay is a pretty big fan as well.)
When they got to the hospital, their own overdramatic soap opera played out, with doctors, nurses, abuelas, and even a random rancher arguing over the baby. The gag was pretty amusing, but mostly because I (and I’m sure most viewers) assumed that it would end happily — with Michell, Cameron, and a baby. But the birth mom chose to place the baby with her own mother, leaving a devastated Cameron and Mitchell.
At a gas station, Gloria went to get medicine for an upset stomach, and Cameron and Mitchell headed out into a cornfield where Mitchell then proceeded to have a mini-breakdown. Mitch explained that he simply needed to take a break from trying to adopt again: It’s exhausting. They sprawled out together in the field and it was all very bittersweet. I would have accepted that as the finale; a bookend to a chapter of their life that I'd be sure would re-open someday. But like any good soap opera, there was a last-minute twist — Cameron and Mitchell may not be having a baby, but Gloria is. She’s pregnant!
NEXT: The finale's best lines!
I’ll say this for the Modern Family creators: I did not in any way see this coming. And while I’m sure many will peg this as a shark-jumping moment, I’m cautiously optimistic. We saw Jay get down with his inner kid last night, dancing onstage with Lily to help her get over her stage fright. And, oh, the comedy potential of seeing a baby around a couple of old men, Manny and Jay!
In other news, it’s Prom night for the Dunphys. But not for the daughter you’d expect. Haley is sitting out prom, saying it’s for lame losers, but Alex (who somehow is in high school now, though in my mind she’s 12) is going to the prom and is totally going to “hook up all over some guy.” Unfortunately, her family laughs in her fact. Bru-tahl. But also, they were right, because Alex’s “bad boy” prom date turned out to be an obviously gay guy who posed just a little too hard during pictures. Alex knows though. She just needed her family to be impressed.
Haley still hadn’t heard back from any colleges (or so she thought… ), so she was moving onto a new plan: A job at Gap and a home with Dylan. Hooray? Her parents weren’t so thrilled, despite the fact that Haley cooked dinner to break the news. Phil and Claire may not have been having it, but I totally would watch a spinoff with Haley and Dylan in an apartment – Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica wouldn't have anything on this duo. Nonetheless, Luke wound up saving the day (although he also created the problem to begin with). Turns out, Haley’s college acceptance letter arrived a day earlier, but Luke had hidden it because, awww, he’s going to miss her. Dylan agrees with everyone — Haley should go to college. And now she will.
A college-bound Haley means one less kid at family dinners, so luckily Gloria has everyone covered. 'Til next season!
Top Lines:
Mitchell and Cameron: “How cool would it be if you turned into wonder woman right now?" “I can’t even talk about it."
Manny to Jay: “How’s that giant fence working out for you?” (Modern Family goes political!)
Cameron's contagious exuberance: “I kept it in as long as I could… We’re having a baby!”
Alex: “I’m going to hook up all over him.”
Phil, teaching Alex how to dance: “Arms down here says ‘I’m white and I’m sorry.’ Arms up here means ‘I don’t know what I am.’"
Phil to Alex: “Honey you look super sexy."
Alex: “I’m basically his beard, pre-beard… stubble.”
Phil: “All the cool kids were totally laughing with us."
[Image Credit: ABC]
More:
Modern Family Star Sarah Hyland Underwent Kidney Transplant
Awards 2012: Making a Case For Modern Family
Modern Family Recap: Clown Funerals, Spy Pens — Did Luke Write This One?

Nominated for the 2011 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series

Summary

A versatile talent with a knack for playing egotistical heels, Emmy-winning Ty Burrell was a supporting actor and occasional lead who established himself in the industry with strong performances in the horror feature "Dawn of the Dead" (2002) and on the television series "Modern Family" (ABC, 2009- ). He was exclusively a stage actor in the late 1990s before making inroads to television and features; his turn as a smarmy yuppie in Zack Snyder's remake of "Dawn" made him a go-to for that character type, but he also showed considerable comic chops on the short-lived series "Out of Practice" (CBS, 2005-06) and "Back to You" (Fox, 2007-08). Both programs were produced by the successful team of Steve Levitan and Christopher Lloyd - best known for their success with "Frasier" (NBC, 1993-2004) - who were impressed enough to tap Burrell once again for his most successful TV outing, the critical darling and ratings hit "Modern Family," which showcased him as a scene-stealing comic star on the rise.